salaryRent is higher than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.4 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $84,360 a year. That is $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Florida cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Florida. It is number 293 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Fort Lauderdale with other big cities
Compare Fort Lauderdale to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Fort Lauderdale?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fort Lauderdale
| Size | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,558 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,752 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,075 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,295 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,304 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fort Lauderdale overall?
Everyday prices in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 114.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Fort Lauderdale
Life in Fort Lauderdale
What jobs pay in Fort Lauderdale
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $160,320 | 15.8% |
| Pharmacist | $135,210 | 18.7% |
| Software Developer | $132,650 | 19.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,360 | 19.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,340 | 19.3% |
| Operations Manager | $105,640 | 24.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,650 | 24.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $91,380 | 27.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $83,750 | 30.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,780 | 30.6% |
| Accountant | $80,920 | 31.3% |
| Police Officer | $79,840 | 31.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $78,990 | 32.0% |
| Firefighter | $75,710 | 33.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,610 | 40.4% |
| Electrician | $58,630 | 43.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,300 | 43.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,040 | 43.6% |
| Plumber | $57,760 | 43.8% |
| Truck Driver | $51,580 | 49.1% |
| Carpenter | $51,570 | 49.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,930 | 56.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,560 | 64.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,580 | 65.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,010 | 66.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,920 | 68.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,070 | 70.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,330 | 73.7% |
| Cashier | $30,250 | 83.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fort Lauderdale?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,268 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $486,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $48,670 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Renting in Fort Lauderdale costs a median of about $2,109 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in Fort Lauderdale?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $84,360 a year, or $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fort Lauderdale cheap or expensive?
Fort Lauderdale is rated OK: rent takes 28.2% of the typical household income of $89,656. It ranks 293rd cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fort Lauderdale?
The median homeowner in Fort Lauderdale pays $4,516 a year in property taxes, about 0.93% of the median home value.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Fort Lauderdale?
The median home value in Fort Lauderdale is $486,700, about 5.4 times the typical yearly household income.
185,604 people live in Fort Lauderdale. Numbers are typical (middle) values.